Take a look at one of the 47 percent

Thursday

Oct 4, 2012 at 6:00 AM

Dianne Williamson

Meet James Lamprey, a husband, father and newly-minted member of Mitt Romney’s 47 percent.

The 33-year-old Worcester man had worked full time in the trades since he graduated from high school. He lives with his wife and two sons in a rented apartment on Bedford Avenue. For 11 years he was a sprinkler fitter at a Worcester firm, hoping to someday save enough money to buy a home for his family.

Then, in April, the headaches began.

He went to UMass, where he was diagnosed with migraines and told to take Tylenol. But the headaches got worse, so a week later he went to St. Vincent Hospital. A CT scan and X-ray revealed a tumor pressing against his brain, and he was transferred that day by ambulance to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

A biopsy was performed on the tumor, and Lamprey was diagnosed with Stage 4 brain cancer.

“It was pretty shocking,” the soft-spoken Worcester man acknowledged. “So many things go through your head. Suicide. What about my kids? You don’t know what to think, so you just try to take it day by day.”

He stayed at Mass General for three weeks, undergoing chemo. Then he received 33 grueling radiation treatments. Sometimes his wife, Jamie, drove him into Boston, sometimes he took the train with his 11-year-old son so he could spend more time with him. He dropped 50 pounds and lost the ability to taste food.

In August, he lost his job and all of his benefits. He’s now on Mass Health, and awaiting his next CT scan Oct. 17 to learn if the tumor has shrunk. His 34th birthday is six days later.

“Good news would be a great birthday present,” Lamprey said. “This has been a very long road for me and my family.”

Today, the Lampreys are devoid of income and struggling to muster the $850 a month rent for the three-bedroom apartment. One month, the American Cancer Society kicked in. Family has helped, but they’re more than a month behind on the rent. Recently, the couple visited the state Department of Transitional Assistance, where they filled out lots of forms. They’re hoping to receive SSDI shortly.

“We have absolutely no income, and no money coming in,” Lamprey said, in a matter-of-fact manner that sought no pity or sympathy. “I’ve worked so hard my whole life, since the day I graduated from West Boylston High. Then I get sick like this, and there’s nothing anyone can do.”

Certainly, there are freeloaders in America who believe they’re entitled to everything. Lamprey isn’t one of them, despite the fact that Mitt Romney seemed to lump together everyone who receives government assistance. Speaking before a room filled with wealthy donors in Boca Raton, Romney famously disparaged the 47 percent of Americans who he says pay no taxes.

“I’ll never convince them that they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives,” Romney told the donors, in a speech that was secretly videotaped.

Last night, Lamprey was among many Americans who tuned in to the first presidential debate between Romney and President Barack Obama. He admitted that he has no taste for politics, but was curious to witness the highly-touted faceoff. Now, he’s more interested in taking care of his family and spending time with loved ones. Two weeks ago, to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary, he and his wife splurged on an overnight trip to Hampton Beach, N.H., where they tried to forget their troubles.

“I don’t bother with politics because I never think my opinions matter to those people,” Lamprey said. Addressing Romney’s statements about the 47 percent, he said, “It’s hard to listen to something like that. I don’t know how someone can say that who’s never been in your position. Mitt Romney has never been in my shoes, or the shoes of most Americans.”

This, then, was Romney’s big challenge last night — to convince Americans that he understands their hopes, their dreams, their fears. And despite the Republican’s dire expectations of the 47 percent, he could learn something from James Lamprey.

“I’m absolutely drained, but trying hard to work my way back up,” he said. “The hardest thing about all this is trying to get my family back on path, so I can show my kids the right path. We were hoping to buy a house and live the American dream. It’s going to be hard to get back there, but I’ll get back there someday. I guarantee it.”

Lamprey needs no advice about personal responsibility from Mitt Romney. But he could use some empathy, and even a small sign that our leaders understand his pain.